PETALING JAYA: National bowler Sin Li Jane is not one to dwell on near-misses and with good reason.
Two runner-up finishes in the same stretch would test anyone’s resolve, but Malaysia’s leading bowler is taking it all in her stride, because the bigger picture looks very bright indeed.
Li Jane was denied at the final hurdle twice in quick succession during her stint at the Professional Women’s Bowling Assocation (PWBA).
She lost to Jordan Snodgrass in the Barbara Chrisman Classic before suffering another gut-wrenching defeat at the US Open final.
In the US Open, Li Jane and Jillian Martin were deadlocked at 212-212 but the Malaysian agonisingly lost in a one-game roll-off.
"I’m still very grateful. My ranking is number two, very close to Singapore’s New Hui Fen, and the points are close among the top five bowlers," said Li Jane.
"I got one win and three second-place finishes. It’s very good."
In the PWBA points rankings, Li Jane is second with 71,000 points, while Hui Fen is ahead with 73,400.
In the earnings standings, Li Jane is top with USD71,645 (RM296,281).
Li Jane will return to the United States to compete in the mixed doubles with American two-handed bowler Darren Tang in the Beauty and the Beast invitational in Houston, Texas from July 30-Aug 2, and the PWBA Tour Championship from Aug 11-18.
"I’m definitely looking forward to the mixed doubles as we finished third at the last competition," she said.
But before she resumes her pro journey in US, Li Jane said: "I want to take a break, recover and come back stronger."
Some funding from the National Sports Council (NSC), which covers a portion of her campaign including the Tour Championship, enabled her to commit to the full US stretch.
"I’m spending a lot but I’m also earning a lot," she laughed. "So it’s okay."
